You'll have a pre-flight briefing with your instructor who will take you through safety and what to expect. You'll then take to the skies and take the controls yourself and discover the absolute freedom of flying. Who knows this could be your first step towards getting a pilot's licence - your flying time counts towards a Private Pilot's Licence. Following your landing you?ll have a short de-brief and a certificate presentation.

The Experience
Your experience includes a briefing on flying techniques and safety before your flight in a dual controlled training helicopter, usually a Robinson R22. You'll also have the chance to take the controls, at the pilot's discretion, and pilot the aircraft under the expert supervision of your instructor.

Vital information
Minimum age varies from 12-18 according to venue.Participants under 18 require parental consent. The Robinson R22 helicopter has a maximum passenger weight of 17 stone. Some venues may require you to bring name and address/photo identification on the day for security reasons.

The weather
As with all flying experiences you will need to call a weather-check line on the day before, or on the morning of your flight. If the weather is unsuitable then you can reschedule your flight for another time.

Session length
Your helicopter flight time is from engines-on to engines-off and varies from 25 to 30 minutes, depending on location. This is as well as the 30 minute safety briefing before your flight.

Numbers
Your experience will be on a one-to-one basis. The only people aboard your aircraft will be you and a fully qualified pilot. Your briefing is likely to be shared.

Spectators
Spectators are welcome. We recommend bringing a camera or binoculars along.

Dress code
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, as the cockpit can get warm. Sunglasses are recommended all year round.

Availability
Most centres operate seven days per week, subject to availability. Please note that weekends are particularly busy and should be booked at least four weeks in advance.

Other information
Flying time can count towards a Private Pilot's Licence. To qualify for a PPL you will need a minimum of 45 hours dual control of which at least 10 hours must be solo. Some centres fly craft other than the R22 and therefore can accept a higher weight.

Locations
Angus, Blackpool, Bristol, Cambridge, Coventry, Dorset, Guildford, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Leeds, Liverpool, Medway Towns, Milton Keynes, Northern Ireland, Northumberland, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Redhill, Sheffield, Slough, Uxbridge, Warwickshire, Watford, West Sussex.